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GREAT CHAHTIST MEETING AT THE CROWN AND ANCHOR . ( Continued from our latU ) [ We hire received many letters complaining , aud ? ery justly , of the curtailment of this report m our last number . The fanlt lay , not with ns , but with the reporter ; as the remaining part of the report , ¦ wh ich we give below , did not reach us tiU Friday , when the papers , in which it was most needed , were » H printed . We are as much sorry for , atd as much annoyed at the circumstance , aa any of our readers can be . —Eds 1
Mr . Rcfft Ridley , delegate , moved— " Tbat it is the opinion of this meeting that the exertions of Thomas DuECombe , Esq ., and all other members who may aid him in moving the release of ail political prisoners , are deserving of our best thaDks now , and our cordial support at the next election . " i Cheers )—He le \ t much pleasure in moving that resolution . All men boasted of the prosperity of the country , yet but * few enj-. iyed or possessed the luxuries , while they deprived their fellow-men of the common necessaries of life , and allowed them to starve . ( Hear , hear . ) There ¦ was , however , one man who was ever the poor niaa's friend , and was ever found advocating his cause—he alluded to Mr . Duncombe . ! Cheers . ) He , however , was satisfied that it w&s almost a farce to petition the
House when the Government had so tyrannised over the people whom they bludgeoned , and , he might add , murdered . ' . Hear , hear . ) After the people carried those men into power , he would ask what return did they make the people for having borne them upon their Shoulders into office ? They fave them the PoerLaw Bill , which separated the aged couples—which tore the father from the child , and the sUter from the brother . ( Hear , bear . ) They dare not pounce upon the-societies in the raetropolis , as they did on those in the provinces , because the King of Hanover was at the head of the blood-stained Orange faction . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) No ,-while they were afraid to trust one man in . the metr-polis , they arrested six poor harmless and defen c-. i ess Dorchester labourers . ( Hear , hear ) The
next Instauc . ; ot their cowardice and their treachery , was John Frost . ; Lond cheers . ) He was prosecuted because he bid the spirit to tell the little Whig Finality Lord John Russell , that he-was an Englishman—that he c ' iinaed the rights of an Ent ' . Lshman , and that he ¦ would support those rights . ( H-ar , hear . i As a . rewar j Le -was torn from the bo-jom of his wife , and from the caresses of his belovtd daughters and sons . [ Hear , hear . But the Wiugs were rot contented with those saerihecs , they sought and found another victim in Fesrcu * O'Cjuaor , the noble caged lion of York Castle . [ Intense cheering . ) They imagined that by taking the brav- leader vf the Chariuis , tba ; . tkey \ rould break their - -p ints and scatter their furees . But the meti-± nr of that night proved that they reckoner uitbont
thtLr host . ( Hear , hear .. Their list of v-ctinis -was not completed until they livl ^ rd the aaaie of Bronterre O'Briin . . Cheers . * That distinguisbea i-atriot , "whose writirgs hsve infused an undying sj . irit ainoBgst . the " worini ^ classes . Hear , Lear . ) Thr-y ptrsccavci him wiiii lie utmost rijobr , oodeven denied hmitbt- ri ^ ht cf cnviBunicatiiig with his friends byletttr . iHe ^ r , hear He should call th > . ir att ention to but one victim Eiort who was slaughtered by the Whigs . . Be-meui * : poor C ; 8 Tion , whose life -stab lost in the Whig prison . ( Sensation of pity and sorr » vr . ) He was gone , but his spirit still hovered over them , and the cause , cryingout " hark , hark , to liberty . " And shall nt » t his roite be obtyri ? , Lotid cms of % 1 yes , yes . ") Yes , they would go ot * ard or die in the cause , iCheers . )
Mr . 3 KSTI 5 GIGN , celsg&te , seconded the resolution . The cheers having subsided witli which he was greeted , he thanked tha mating for the marked testimony of their approbation , whieh was a full and satisfa £ tory reward for his having stood true to their cause . ( Hear , hear .. Aluicragh he was eariy in the fLld , he had as yet escaped the fang 3 of the I .-. w , and had not had the honour of beisg imprisoned . On the 12 th of Angus ! he was ai his post , when upwards of 120 special constables weie iWorn in to apprehend him . Still they did not eucc ^ tJ , which so plagued them , that one of them excU 3 med , " D—n him , he says nothing for which we can Uike him . ' iA laugh ... The chief magistrate- and con £ ta . l'i& of Lis place cosseted on the possibility of their La Tin ;; aa © pp-jrxuiiity to seize him , when they
prudecuy came to the detemamtion of cot dcing so . ( Hear , hear . ) The very magistrate who was so anxious to poaace upon him was so terrified by the ra a-: con - coursr uf people that presented itself , that instead of returring over the bridge , the way by which he came , he to ^ s back through the lirei—( laughter * ;—azid when , in the after part « f the day , he met him ( Mr . Skeviajtcni he ( the magistrate ; actually put his hand to his La :, ilncr&iaed iaiub : ^ ., Jir . Szevingron having »; ivena very amusing dttail of the proceedings of the 15 th of August in his district , proceeded to say tha * . tr . s National Petition contained one million and u quarter of signatures , -which would be presented on the foileTrkis 'iay by Mr . Buncombe , in behalf of tte
persecuted and impnssued victims > f Wbigtery and their hell-heusds . ; Hear , hear . ! He h-J rvc ^ ivsd letters ¦ from Nottingham , asking his advice rerptcti ^ g Sir Joan Cais H : jbiiou » e and Mr . Lirpent . . lt . m they call him , " 31 r . SirptEt . " ( A laugh . ; His advice was , thai before they voted for either of them , that they should trie part payment from them of their promises ia the LmrEtdiate rviease Gf the Chartist prisoners in EcglaEd . ( H-iar . heir . ) That then they should vbtain the rv&t « - ratica uf Frost , Williams , and Jones to thsir faiuilits . He > is satisfied that the mtn of Leicester would do all in ' -Leir power to break the necks of their enemies throui'iout the land . ( Hear , hear . ) His advice to th = pec-pis -was , " Be at it ; be at it ; be always at it . " < L- _ ud cheers- ;
lir . ilxaTiX , the delegate , who so nianiully opposed O'C-.-TiiitU , Esxt appeared , amiJ cheers , ro support the res- 'Oution . He was aware of the great aifficuity of their undertaking , and of tht : great pr-judices agaiust which they had la contend—prej adieus created against them by the vile factions for their own aggrandisement iHcai , Lsar . t It was necessary to prepare the minds ci the ve ° ? le to meet and resist the efforts that were making to harrass , to oppre ° 3 , and to plunder them . ( Hrtir , hear . ) Ab soon as those prejudices were removed , as S 30 n as they were enabled to convince the ignorant of their real views and objects , then they could , by union , make such an effort as no tyrant power could resist ' . hem . ( Hear , hear . ) They should look witt caution on everv man , even on him who came forwarc
as a friend , for they had more reason to f-ar an hypo criticil Chartist than an avowed and open Tory { Hear , hear . i Their C 3 nse was one of peace , and a . such should succeed unless it was betrajed by faJ : « friends . The Reform Bill , which was to have done & ¦ much for the people , -was carried without kffecting siiieie pirticie of good for the people- ; that Bill neve would W ? e been carried if the sxistocracy haA not th mfenibiTS at their side . ( Hear , hear . ) Without th aid of tie millions , the Whigs never could have bw ceede-i in thrusting the Tories out of power .- ( Heai he ^ r . If they were able to force the Tories froi power , they could do in turn the same with th Whigs , iHear , hear . ) Tes , they will do so , for tKfind ' . hat the Whigs have only exercised their powt
for the purpose of destroying them . ( Hear , hea : Seven millions of able-tK ^ died men , through who exertions the capitalists luxuriate in wealth and eve indulgence , shall not starve , shall not parish , ai bJIo-w the lszy and ujipToductive classes to consul thiproduce of their industry . ( Hear , hear . ) Mb bad been said about the repeal of the Com Laws—th was ths qu ^ tion which was raised by the marrafacti era f ¦ r their own benefit , but it was one in which t wciking classes bad not the slightest interest ; He : heir ., In fact , anything that ca&ie from that Hoi could not be favourable to the working classes . > He : hear .- The cry was notking but a fe ; onions Damp : mis ? between lie Whigs and the middle class arisfc r » cv , and an endeavour on their part to swindle t
people out of their rights . iHear . ) The worki cU&ses should therefore be united to defeat that « spiracy , and for the purpose of carrying the Guarter the law of the land , ( Hear , ) By no other ines cooid the warting and enslaved population assert th < rights or obtain their just claims . ( Hear . ) They wt entitled to the suffrage , and so loDgas one of their cb ¦ was deprived of that right , so long should they cc tinus the struggle for liberty . ( Hear . ) They had kno led-s , they bad power , and could not be resisted ; the Tijuoas—Whig and Tory , do the worst , they woi be "fitimately compelled to bow down their necks beft the povrer and the majority of th « people . ( Hei WLat patriotism was there in the repeal of the Ct L&v-s , when that measure only contemplated putti vhe the middle
th ^^ e millions in pockets of classes , a wh-j vf ere sivirg nine millions in rates ? ( Heat . ) A all . ' -. Is , while they refused the able bodied labou out loor , and only offered iiim so much ui-do r rei as rrdaced him to starvation point- ( Hear . ) - The v < felons in the gaols were belter provided for than ; inmates of the workhouses . It was even said that silt-rt system , the most crnel punisauieBt that . eimid inn ottd , waa about being introduced into the wo houses . If such was the case , shall not every mat England raise his voice against such an act despotism ? ( Cries of Yes . ) Yes , the working cla ^ held in their bands the balance of power , and wo use it in getting rid of the accursed law which il subjected the poor to be treated worse than felons , a
rendered poverty a crime . ( Hear , hear . ) Instead prating about tke repeal of the Cora LaWB , let th repeal the New Poor Law BilL ( Hear , hear . ) Inst * of prating about sugar duties , let them give ' them more employment and better wages . ( Hear , hes Inst-ad of prating about such things they should vi and relieve the starving population of Spitalfields , a reduce the hours of factory labour . ( Hear , bea Thus they would add to the comfort—to the indep * decctj of the working classes , and secure the peace a : prosperity of the country . tHear , hear . ) Instead establishing workhouses , they should give employme
to the population on the soil ; and instead of bankhiE and ir&ngporting their best mechanics , and ihcir be * agrieaitaralistjs , to New Zsalacd and Australia , the ; Ehodl talonisa their home waste lanOs with them , o whica waste i&ada there were ia Great Britain suScien acrei to sustain six millions of people . ( Hes , r , hear . It was strange that of late , and within a very sbor period , Lord John Russell ascertained that in London Liverpool . Bristol , and different other parts of England thoussuds of the inhabitants were living in wretche < hoveis , cellars under ground , and other places o wretchedness , while many of them had not five shil linga a week each to pay their lodgings with and sup
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port themselves . ( Hear , hear . ) It was strange that he bad not ascertained that fact before . But it was only at that moment found useful for the purposes of agitation . ( Hctr , hear . ) That trick of trade , agitation , would not do , which would be proTed by the next election . ( Hear , hear . ) The Chartists were resolved to agitate peaceably and firmly . Northampton was pledged to do its duty . ( Hear , hear . ) So was Leeds ( Hear , bear , bear . ) And he was certain that Stroud would teach Lord John Finality such a lesson as he would never forget ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Martin entered into a very able statistical detail of the gradual decrease of wages sinca 1815 , called upon the Chartiste to
support Mr . Dnncombe and their friends at the coming elections , and concluded with a most powerful and impassioned appeal in behalf of the expatriated and imprisoned Chartists , amidst the most deafening cheers A young gentleman named Pabry , here attempted to interrupt the proceedings , by lecturing the Chartbts upon their mode of agitation , by advocating the cause of Whiggery . He at length exhausted the patience of his auditors , and was with difficulty restrained from indulging in his rambling address . He was at length induced to sit down , bnt not without exclaiming " that there was no fair play for him , " which created much merriment and laughter amongst the Chartists .
Dr . 31 'DoiUl ., ia reply to this champion of the repeal of i he Corn Laws avowed hi 3 willingness to meet him or any other of the league , when or where they pleased ( Cheers . ) Mr . Sakkt said that a note bad been just placed in his hands , which stated that Sir Robert Peel had given notice that that night he would , move a vote of a want of confidence in her Majesty ' s niiuisteH , on next Thurs lay , the 28 th . ( Loud cheers . ) The result of which was the withdrawal of Lord Jolin Russell's New Pcor Law Amendment Act- ( Renewed cheering . ) Mr . Jeskins replied briefly to Mr . Parry , the Corn-Law iea ^ utr . The resolution was carried amidst loud cheers . Mr . Wall moved the third resolution . * . —
' That it is the opinion of this meeting that the pre sent House of Commons , being altogether comprised of representatives of land and capital , does not possess the confidence of the labouring population , who are thtreby excluded from the exercise of the , suffrage , and are denied any protection for their labour . This mee ^ ing is further ef opinion that th 9 rights of labour will Etver be properly established or protected , the life and liberty of the workmen secure or permanent , nor happiness , independence , er freedom , be the lot of the millions , until Universal Suffrage is proclaimed a law , aud tue whole Charter form part of the statute acts of this empire . "
( Loud cheers . ) He agreed , in every pnnciple , which that resolution contained . They wero going the whole hi > g . i Hear , hear . ) Every one who supported that resjlutiou held up his hand as a pledge of his determination to have the Ciiarter enacted as the law of the laud . It -was not by desultory movements , but it was by such combined * ction as the assembly of that nijjbt evinced tLat they could succeed in obtaining the pray > . r of the uiiiiious who signed the National Petition . vrUar £ < iar . ) That meeting ought to add 1-4 . 000 eignaturts to tbe National Petition It was their duty to accompany * . be petition on to-morrow , and to see it carried into the House- Thns they could know the men who opposi-d it , and cheer the Members who supported it ( Hear , hear ) They had a great duty to discharge when they advocated the cause of suffering humanity . They should , on the nrxt day , by a moral display , convince their enemies that the praytrs of a million of working
men could not be treated with contempt ( Hear , hear . j If the middle classes had but common honesty , they could protect their fellow-men , and turn the scile in their favour ; but as they had not , the working classes would fight their own battles , and exercising that power which they possessed , Nottinghamise the vhole country , as it would be better for them to have open foes than pretended friends to contend against They would not blink tbe question . Tbe man who was U 9 t with them was against them . ( Cheers ) Upon that principle , the working classes , instead of submitting to be robbed , will assume the power which will enable them to protect themselves . ( Hear , hear . ) That meeting , which was got up by working men , proved what they could do . By following up the victorv they gained that night—by union and increasing efforts in the cause , they will be enabled to oast both Tories and Whigs , and make England what she ought to be , the land of " the brave and the free . " 'Cheers . )
ilr . Morgan Williams , delegate from Merthyr . seconded the resolution . He appeared before that meeting nit merely to be seen , but in order to advocate those principles for which he always straggled , and to Secure for the working classes vf the kingdom their just and inalienable rights . ( Hear , hear . ) This they wtre bound to do , as the men who ou ^ ht to discharge those duties either neglected or abandoned them—in f ^ ct , he defied them to point out one single speech made—one sincle exertion made—or one advice given V v the members in Parliament , in favour of the working
classes . Ail the speeches he heard that night were full of eloquence , and full of useful matter , and he trusted ttey -would go forth to every corner of the land . ( Hear , hear . ; It w . ls proved that night , that each man had within himself a power of obtaining a voice in the election of iepre * .-ntatives ; and he trusted that power they would tx * -rcise . ( Hear , hear . ) His heart was gladdened at the sight he beheld that night He wouiu return to his native country , carrying to it the glad intelligence that the men of London were up and doiDg , and he "sighed them success , in all their patriotic endeavrurs , from the bottom of his heart . ( Cheers . )
Mr CulleS , delegate of Glasgow , supported the resolution . It was gratifying to him to witness such a meeting , not only was tbe great room , in which they were a * iembled , filled , but even the lobbies , the arenas , and that portion of the street in the front of the Crown and Anchor . ( Hear , hear . ; He came that moment from another meeting , which was held to greet Henry HetheriBgton on his release . He ( Mr . Cullen ) was nut the advocate of party . He despised the brand of party . ¦; Hear , hear . ) He advocated the principles of Universal Suffrage—principles by which he alone would stand . iHeiiT , hear . ) He would attend to the great principles of liberty and leave others to discuss minor differences . He would do his duty and en ' eavour to conciliate to the cause all he could > ( Hear , hear . ) Every man
should come forward and pledge himself to act a certain part in the achievement of the great caus ^ , and hold out the right hand of fellowship to all willing to assist them . ( Hear , hear . ) Chartism was abused by tbe bar —by the pulpit , and by the synod , and still the leaders f the Chirtists , and the men themselves should demand Universal Suffrage , equal laws and justice fur alL ( Cheers . ) It was not for themselves that they were contending , but they were contending for the just rights of their fellow men . They made no distinction . Catholic , Protestant , Quaker , and Socialist ; all should have their help . ( Hear , hear . ) The Government imagined tnnt by laying hands upon the best ot the leaders t » f the Chartists , that the latter would sink into apathy . They supposed wrong . ( Hear , hear . ) For instead of sinking them into apathy—instead of lessening their energy , it roused them and filled them with new courage and fresh vigour . ( Hear . ) He wished that the middle classes
would aid the working classes in putt ' ng down despotism . ( Hear . ) It was strange they did not , as they must be aware that it was opposed to their best interests , to the sacct . s 3 of trade in general , and to their futnre welfare . sHeai , hear . ) The Chartists would , however , do their duty ; th&y would be no longer misled by the nickname of Reform , They would be satisfied with no hollow promises , but would go on manfully until they emancipated their brethren then in prison , and until they restored Frost , Williams , and Jones . ( Cheers . ) A crisis had arrived , of which they should avail themselves , when they should carry upon their shoulders men of their own choice—men upon whom they could depend , and return them to Parliament / Hear , hear . ) That would prove their determination to fight the battle of liberty , and would be a death-blow to tbeir enemies . sHear , hear . ) Mr . Cullen sat down amidst enthusiastic cheers .
Mr . Morgan , delegate from Bristol , also supported the resoJntion . He waa the representative of a city ¦ which was determined to have the whole hog , bristles and alL ( Hear , and laughter . ) The advocates of tyranny —the advocates of the repeal ef the Corn Laws , who were anxious to sow dissension amongst them , and wonld have it believed that there were divisions in their body , that great meeting of 4 , « 09 of Chartist worsing men , which he beheld that night , gave a damning lie to the assertion . ( Hear , hear , aud cheers . ) Nottingham had made the Whigs stagger , and had given them some idea of Chartist inflnei / ce and of Chartist power 'Hear , bear . ) Dr . M'Douall would , he trusted , give them , at the next election , another proof of the same
power and of the Bxme influence . ( Hear , bear , hear . i Mr . Morgan here most facetiously described tbe result of his interviews with the different Members of Parliament , the anxiety of those Members for their seats , arid to know how the Chartist pulae beat His nccouat of the several answers he rectived convulsed the meeting with laughter . He then took an able view of the prospects of the Chartists , proved the masked treachery whieb the present Whig agitation for the repeal of the Corn Laws , and for the reduction ( n the duties of sngar and timber , caused . If said be , the Whigs were sincere in serving the working man and enabling him to live cheap , they should reduce the duties on the following articles which produce the revenue annexed to them , viz .:
—1 Sugar and Molasses £ 4 , 827 , 018 2 Tea . ' 3 , 958 , 8 uO 3 Tobacco 3 , 495 , 686 4 Ru _; , Brandy , ic . 2 , 615 , 443 5 Wine 1 , 849 , 799 S Timber 1 , 603 , 194 7 Corn 1 , 098 , 779 8 Coffee 779 , 114 9 Cotton Wool 416 , 257 10 Silk manufacturers 247 , 382 11 Butter 213 077 12 Currants 1 SB . 13 Tallow ... ... 182 , 080 14 Seeds ••¦ 135 , 525 15 Sheep 8 Wool 139 , 770 16 Raisins 134 . 17 Chee « e 105 , 218
17 Articles producing £ 21 , 700 , 630 If the people sent into Parliament rascals who Imposed such taxes , they deserved to suffer all the evils of despotism and merited not the name of men bat of cowards
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and willing slaves . ( Hear . ) After a mo ? t luminous speech in favour of liberty , Mr . Morgan retired amidst loud cheers . Mr . John Cleave was received with loud and continued cheers . He ' said , Brother Ck-artists , apd Ladies , we hare oar enemies before us ; we know their strength and we also know that we shall easily conquer them . ( Hear . ) The only danger to liberty and its cause can arise from disunion . ( Hear . ) The slightest tendency to feuds amongst the workinjj classes must be instantly and I trust will be for ever put down , as bringing certain and inevitable destruction to the great , the noble , and the virtuous cause in which all are engaged . ( Hear ) We must forget and forgive our mutual faults , for it is our duty to conciliate all and to induce all to
jomus . Every man Bhould freely speak out his thoughts and declare what be thinks most likely to forward the cause . ( Hear . ) Freedom of thought and action is that to which every man ia entitled—it is more precious than gold—it is my right—it is your tight , ani it is a right which every man should hold dearer than life , for upon it depends the public good , and tbe very essence of liberty itself—that precious jewel for which we are at this moment struggling . ( Cheers . ) Rely upon it , that sueh a course will not damage the next general election , but will do more for a good and perfect organization than could be otherwise devised . ( Hear , hear . ) The grand oVject of the Convention , who called this meeting , is the liberation of all political prisoners , now in durance
vile . This great meeting , if it sets to work properly , will be more than enough to achieve that and their other objects . ( Hear , hear . ) I am satisfied that tbe results of the forthcoming elections mainly , nay , entirely depend upon tbe Chartists , and that it is with them to decide who shall represent the country . Their cry should be " Universal Suffrage , " and the release of all political prisoners . ( Cheers . ) I again repeat that any , the Bligbtest division , will damage the cause of the prisoners . Hence every man should endeavour his best to preserve unanimity . ( Heat , hear . ) Every man should also exert hiuuelf in his own locality—should collect friends , and should do all in his power to relieve and release the prisoners in our prisons in England , and to restore Frost , Williams , and Junes to their " happy homes and altars free . " ( Cueers . ) Every head of a family should inquire how the baker , how the butcher ,
how the grocer , intended lu vote , and should deal with the man who pleated him best , ( Loud cries of ' hear , hear . " ) I declare to Go : l , that I look upon th « man who would not do so as the greatest enemy the cause could have . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) They alone who have tasted the bitterness of a gaol , as I have , can form an opinion of the bufferings of its inmates . ( Hear , hear . ) Wu should uot look to straugws for help , but should remember that God helps those who help themselves . ( Hear , hear . ) We sLould never ceaso our exertions uiitil we obtain equal laws , aud equal privileges for all , and never cease our struggle until we secure the Carter . ( Hear , hear , and ciietre . ) In all our strangles we should declare that we would be content with nothing but the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing ltss tl-an the Charley . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . BAitsiHY , delegate for IpRwich , followed Mr . Cicave , in a speech of great power and ability , which he concluded amidst immense applause . The resoiutiqn was then put and carried . Mr . Main en moved That the bust thanks of this meeting are due and given to the delegates of the Petition Convention for their upright and persevering conduct , and unremitting attention in obtaining the release of political victims , aud in forwarding the cause of the people , sa that the Chatter may speedily become the law of the land . " Mr . Parker seconded the resolution , and supported it in a very animated and eloquent address
Mr . Cleave , previously to the putting of the above resolution , called the attention ot tbe Delegates present to the " model prison" now erecting in Copenhagtn fields , aud for which Parliament has voted such large sujhs . He trusted that before they left London , that they would not fail to pay a visit to tbe " Whig Heil , " intended alike for the country as for Londoners , in order that they might describe it to their constituents on their return to the provinces—so that public feeling might be aroused on so important a subject , i Hear , ht or . )
Thanks were voted to the Chairman , when tbe great masses of human beings separated ami retired peaceably to their homes , after giving three cheers for Frobt , Williams , aBd Junes ; three cheers for Fergus O'Connor and all other political prisoners ; th ee cheers for the Convention ; three cheers for the National Petition and the Charter ; and three cheers for the Northern Star . Thus terminated the proceedings » f aa glorious a day as ever shone upon Cnartism .
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GLORIOUS TRIUMPH OF CHARTISM OVER THE CORN LAW REPEALERS AT T 1 LLICOULTRY . The middle-class postiou of society in Tillicoultry are n » way distinguished for extraordinary intelligence or political activity . They have exercised their political franchise upon the principle of holding the working population in contempt , and begetting the good-will of the aristocracy in ^ : v : j ] j ; their votes to the nominees of the landed aristocracy . If they could have continued to secure their prntiis by a continued reduction of the wagtb of their workmen , gluilly would they huvo slumbered avray their uays , satisfied with this inglorious distinction . But fatal experience lias changed the spirit of their dreams : their fast receding profits convince them that they are upon tbe verge of a gulph , and how to wTe themselves they know not . In this sinking condition , the only tub tbeir limited vision can discover flouting upon the surface being Corn Law repeal and frre trui ' . e .
The Chartists of Tillicoukry , who make up ninetenths ( f its population , are very much distinguished for their acutcnt . s 3 of thinking , and penetration into national affairs . They know that so long as the aristocracy hold the absolute contruul of the land , and from this ejijoy the riyat to make laws taxing all the resources of industry , that neither the merchants , manufacturers , nor wo king population , can have protection or security to their property : past experience has convinced them that the working population are the victims of this system—that its -workings have destroyed and nearly dried up the source from which their prosperity springs ; and this corruption , in its working , having now reached the middle class , will speedily operate in convincing them that their only safety will be in joining the Chartists , for national regeneration is hopeless through any other means .
We now proced to detail how the battles have been fought and the victory secured . The head-quarters of the c « rn-cmkt-s in this district of the country , being Stirling , ihe clique there drew up a petition , dispatch * it through all the manufacturing districts , prayiug for a total repeal , but iu none of these places did the crokers attempt a public meeting . Accordingly , upon the evening of the 2 lst , that intrepid and indomitable advocate of the Charter , Mr . Abram Duncan appeared in AUoa , in a meeting of 2 , 000 of its inhabitants , discussed the subject of Corn Law repeal , pointed out the danger of working men reposing any confidence in niiddle-clsas men us leaders , until they give full proof of their entire conversion to Chartist principles . The result was , that none of the corn-croakers gave one chirp , and tbe luceting passed a unanimous vote of confidence in their present leaders , and tho resolution to countenance no counter-agitation until the Charter become the law of the land .
The Chartists of Alva convened a meeting upon Monday the 24 th , the whole inhabitants of the town attended the meeting , the same result followed . The Chartists of Tillicoultry convened their meeting on Tuesday the 25 th , for to take into consideration the conduct of the manufacturers in securing signaturt s to the petition . We wish the country distinctly to know that the manufacturers in all the villages here about , as well as the shopkeepers , have hawked ahout these petitions , and by using every low , mean , dirty artifice , have induced a few lickspittles to atiach their signatures to them , but we must say thus much for the poor fellows , that after signing the petition they are ashamed of it and deny it in public . When it was announced upon Tuesday the 25 th , that Mr . Duncan was to deliver a lecture in the open air , deep was tbe
consternation of the crokers in Tillicoultry ; they were seen flitting to and fro like ghosts ; the result of their deliberation , being that tbe head clerk of one of the establishments wa 3 seen to leave the town in a gig for Dunfermline , to bring up a sort of non-descript , for he avows himself to be a Corn Law repealer , Free-trader , Malthusian , Chartist and Republican , ( his name is Thomas Morrison ) for the purpose of opposing Mr . Duncan The repealers now breathed a little more freely , ' and as they peered into each others faces the passing exclamation being ' 1 wonder if he'll be in time ta stop the month of that fellow . " At the hour of meeting there would be about 700 people on the ground . Mr . John Robertson being called to the chair , read the excellent address issued by the People's Convention , and by the time it was concluded , the meeting iDcn-ased to about 1 , 900 .
Resolutions similar to those adopted in AUoa and Alva having been moved and seconded , The Chairman called upon Mr . Abram Duncan to address the meeting . Mr . Duncan then came forward , and said , that every Chartist now hearing him would give a hearty response to the address now read . For his part , he felt proud of the men that represented him in London . In that document they had given smple proof of their capacity to legialate for the people ; they had investigated into the cause of our wrongs ; and pointed out the chicanery , hypocrisy , and fraud of those that misrepresented and cruelly oppressed the British people . Our duty at the present time , being to meet daily , in large masses , and publicly declare our utter and complete want of confidence in the British Parliament ; oar united and unanimous confidence in our own convention , with our resolution to obey them in everything that will advance the popular movement for the Charter .
At this stage of the proceedings , Mr . Morrison made his appearance , accompanied by Alexander Halley , late member of the Convention . Their friends attempted , when they entered the meeting , to raise a cheer ; but it proved an entire failure , dying away like the growl of a toothless mastiff . Mr . Duncan then resumed , pointing out the propriety of the Chartists acting unanimously and decidedly in breaking up Whiggery in all its forms . Their duty was to expose the hypocrisy and humbug of Corn Law
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repeal ; their next step would be to bring forward their candidate at the hustings . They bad given him this honourable and distinguished position ; and with their assistance he would give them & three hours" drubbing at the nomination . The Chartist ahout which would follow , would toll the hearties * faction that the love , affection , and confidence of the people were gone ; that they had nothing now before them but a desperate struggle . with the popular voice , demanding ; freedom and justice—a country paralysed in her resources , and merging fast into disorder in her financial arrangements He would now give way , that Messrs . Morrison and Halley might tell their own tale , who sent for them , what they wanted , and what they had to propose to thi 3 meeting .
Mr . Morrison , In a very circumlocutory manner , informed them that he could not tell who sent for him ; what he had to say to them was , that they ought to join Corn Law repeal ; and that he wished to discuss Chartism and Corn Law repeal with Mr . Duncan ; that he had no amendment to propose to their resolutions . These being put by the Chairman , were unanimously carried . Mr . Duncan then desired him to state his question which be wished discussed . Mr . Morrison stated that he wished to discuss , first . That Corn Law repeal wouldbenefit the people ; second , That the joining of this movement would neither impede nor retard the Chartist movement .
Mr . Duncan declined to discuss tbe first proposition , upon the ground that it was tantamount to betraying the Chartist cause altogether . The second proposition he would discuss , if the Chartists of Tillicoultry requested him to do so , with Mr . Morrison or any other opponent of the Charter in the country . Two hours was spent in making the necessary arrant'emonts in the opeu air , and it was the unanimous opinion that Morrison and Halley ' a conduct carried an appearance of desire rather ta mystify the public mind upon the subject than to give instruction , and the meeting treated them accordingly . After a vote of thanks to the Chairman , thisclosed the business of Tuesday evening . Upon Wednesday and Thursday , the news flaw like wildfire over the district , and the discussion was fixed for Thursday evening at seven o ' clock . Every village and haiulfit were seed pouring ia their quota of those that felt interested in the pending discussion . Some fears -were entertained that Mr . Duncan ' s voice would
prevent , him taking up the discussion in the open air , as his voice had become quite hoarse from the many large out-deor meetings he bad lately addressed , and from the appointmeuta he bos yet waiting upon him to fulfil . Tho committee never thought of asking for any house , as none were large enough in the place to contain one-third of those who would attend . At tbe hour ot meeting there could not be less than 2500 people upon tho ground , and shortly after the commencement of the business the best judges calculated there were upwards of 3000 . The articles to regulate th ^ discussion being read , . Mr . Duncan proposed for his Chairman , Mr . John Robertson , of Tiliicoultry , a Chartist , who will be neither flattered nor overawed .
Mr . Morrison proposed Mr . Alexander Shaw Baker . It was agreed the discussion should last four hours , fifteen minutes being specified for the opening , aud ten for all succeeding speeches . Mr . Morrison commenced by observing that although the aubject of the debate did not require it , he would go fully into the evils of the Ceru Laws . He pointed them out as a monopoly exclusively for the benefit ef the landed interest—that in the working of this monopoly , trade had in many Cises been crippled ^ -our vxporbr had been stunted in their growth—population increasing pressed upon the labour market—wages fell—the monopoly increased the price of the provision ; hence the misery of the working population . He called upon them nil to unite with tbe middle ciassea for the repeal of these lawa , and then plenty would flow into our potts , and the board of every working man in the laud would groan with abundance .
Mr . Duncan now rose to address the meeting . He said honesty was an ossontial characteristic of a public political purty . Consistency was a requisite to command respect . Tho Chartists hitherto had occupied this proud position . Honesty was the essential element of their public character—their principles wens based upon political justice—they declared enfranchisement to all , and they had consistently persevered in using evory means likely to secure their object . Could this be i-aid of the Corn L : iw repealers . They desired the Cuartists to sacrifice principle , and givo up their hitherto
untarnished consistency , sink into the qu . igmire ofclass-distinctious , and waste all thtir energies iu fighting tho battles of one class of monopolists against another . He called upon them to review their past struggle ; and were they prepared to sacrifice the fruits of that struggle , and lay it at the footstool of middle-class deception ? No . ' He trusted the time had come when they would place their confidence iu those who had given proof of devotion to their cause by conversiou to the principles of Chartism , that carried with itself tLe evidence of sincerity and disinterestedness .
Mr . Mo ' rii . 'son complained that Mr . Duncan had taken up none of his arguments , but from what had fallen frum Mr . Duncan , ho was inclined to think that he had no intention of defending the present Corn Laws . Ho rrjoicisd in this conversion , as the removal of a powerful opponent was sometimes as good as the accession of a friend . He would now go on with his argument , shewing the evils of the Corn Laws . He pointed out that in the years 1834 , 1835 , and 1836 , provisions were at a very low aud reduced rate in this couutry , while at the same time wages were then very high . He predicted that the same result would follow were a repeal of tho Corn Laws to take place at the presi nt time . 11 r . Duncan said tbat Mr . Morrison ' s calculations werj rather premature . He had announced to the meeting that Mr . Duncan was now a convert to his views : in Ibid he would find himself mistaken . He
knew his opponent ' s design was to drag him away into irrelevant matter ; but he was not to be diverted from the question before them , which was , whether the joining'Cora Law repeal Wtuld injure the Chartist movement ? He affirmed tbat it would . The Chartists who jiiued Com Law repeal might understand the principles of the Charter ; but either he was ignorant or careless how to carry them to a triumphant issue , who would join in any counter movement for any mere administrative Reform . Chartism must triumph in public opinion before it can be recognised in tbe House of Commons . Every political slave was a missionary
in this cause ; and ho ought to labour to make it triumphant in the workshop , the coal-mine , and the highways and byeways Ho knew that the spirit was spreading like a Acme every way , and we were culled upon to assert its predominance * ver every pseudo scheme of national improvement . This was our task , and it required energy , union , and determination , to make it triumph , neither to be deceived nor led astray by any class movements , for il had now grown up to that importance that it could try its strength with them all , and had prostrated all with whom it has been called Upon to encounter .
Mr . MORRISON again complained that Mr . Duncan hud failed to produce one argument in support of his assertion , that Corn Law Repeal would injure Caartisin . He asked , would the big loaf which cheered the poor man ' s board unfit him to contend for his political rights ? Would food for his famishing children divert his attention from national improvement ? He contended , on thu contrary , that food in the cottage could not by possibility detract from his patriotism . Other results would follow . The manufacturing class were all but unanimous fur tho Repeal of the Corn Laws ; and were the woiking class to accompany them in this movement , they would give a convincing proof to the middle class of tbeir intelligence and practical wisdom , which would go far to carry a conviction Into tbeir minds that they were well qualified to exercise tbe franchise ; then would peace , concord , and harmony reign between them , and happiness would be the general character of our country .
Mr . Duncan must compliment Mr . Morrison upon having a poetic imagination ; but his millenium of happiness to tbe human race waa like many which had gone before it , and embraced a mere evaporation of oily words , which consisted in keeping the promise to the ear and breaking it to the hope . Cora Law Repeal , under the present circumstances , weuld be found of this character . But who , after all , created the Corn Bill—confirmed it—aud perpetuated it ? Was it the working population 1 No . They have no power of legislation in tbe House ef Commons . When that House undergoes an election , working men are not consulted , except at the nomination , and that is one of the actions of our glorious Constitution , which is the envy of all thieves and liars . The aristocratic class are
haughty and arrogant from their long established exclusive privileges . The middle classes , since they were enfranchised by working men , have , to the aristocracy , been mean aud servile ; to these upon whose industry they live , they have been cold , haughty , and tyrannical . He would boldly charge the manufacturing class with hypocrisy in the case of Corn Law Repeal . They msdo a loud clamour against tbe monopoly of the Corn Laws . They say that its working ia injurious to their tradethat it has dried up their profits—perilled their capital , and thrown a darkening cloud over their future prospects . These are heavy charges against the Corn Bill , and if true , what are we to think of the honesty aud consistency of that party , who defends the monopoly fr # m which this minor one springs . The Chartists
would long ere this time have carried the tire of reform into the augean stable ; but who protected it—let my opponent , the advocate of middle class wiEdom , declare —have they not done everything in their power to destroy the Chartist movement Their vile hireling prints , from the Morning Chronicle down to the Stirling Obseiver , that puddle-pool , where brainless wits play off their harmless jukes upon Chartism—hare they not thrown their shield of protection over this House at the expence of their character ? Aud they now wish the Chartists to sacrifice their character at the same shrine . In this there is deep deBign . Merge the
organisation for the Charter into Corn Law Repeal , and we would become again tbe despicable serfs of the very faction who ore expiring from the severe and terrible conflict they have sustained with Chartism . Having unmasked the hollow-heartedness of Whiggery—laid bare its low artifices—proved it to be a persecuting and bitter exterminating enemy to popular liberty , and the just rights of the working millions , would not the future historian designate the Chartism of the 19 th century as a p . < wer which arcse thut bade fair to cope with , unmask , undermine , ani overthrow Parliamentary tyranny ; and when it had secured its first step of triumph , abandoned its glorious
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position , and . went forth , knight-errant-like , to rescue and save the fell monster who had exerted its utmost strength to imprison and exterminate it , and , even in its 4 eath-throes , to spit its serpent alime upon it ! Yet this is the task Com Law repealers seek us to perform , and which my consistent opponent is here this night to plead tbe cause of , before the sharp and clearheaded men ef Tillicoaltty . Mr . MORRISON declared that he had abandoned the hope of inducing Mr . Duncan to discuss the question of Corn Law repeal . ^ Mr . Duncan , in this case , might indeed plead a short memory , but Mr . Duncan is very apt t » forget questions that were difficult for him to answer . He would now put again to him the question , and they themselves would judge whether it was the want of ability or will—Now , in the years which he had commented upon , when provisions were low , employment plenty , and wages high , would not the same result again take place were the Corn Bill repealed ? Yes , my friends , I am a sincere
advocate of the Charter , though I differ with my opponent in the best means to secure it All improvements ever got in this country have been got by piecemeal , and the Charter will be secured in the same manner . Let us , then , advocate every good and wise measure . Let us join with all those who are for improving our institutions and remodelling our laws . Will the abolishing of an evil prevent the obtaining of a good ? He looked upon the Corn Laws as a positive evil . He would hall their repeal as a positive good . The good and the wise were uniting everywhere for this otgeet . Upon Monday evening fire thousand in Dunfermline had come to a unanimous vote , and be anticipated the same decision at the close of this speech . It required the whole exertions of the chairman to repress the highly restrainad feelings of the meeting during its delivery . He told them that their vote of the close of the diBcussion , would be the record of their judgments upon its merits .
Mr . Duncan said , that his opponent had taunted him with not answering this celebrated question—the solution of which is calculated to set our national affairs right , open the eyes of the blinded Chartists to perceive the wisdom of middle-class political economy and Whig new-light . He might answer it by stating that it resulted in the coincidence of a . succession of abundant harvests and an excess in the harvest of rag money . The abundant harvest served its own purpose . The excess of the rag-money harvest had Its reaction in 1838 , under which tbe nation has reeled like a drunken man ever since . He , however , was not required to answer such a question , in discussing the proposition . He would now ask Mr . Morrison was he satisfied ? He would now proceed to point out
another duty to the Chartists connected with this very proposition . They had to unite the good and the wise of every class ; sufficient for us that they acknowledge the principles of the Charter to be just , and would agree in acting with the great body in carrying out every measure to make them triumphant as the peer , squire , manufacturer , peasant , or weaver .. Our object being justice to the oppressed from bad government ; , we seek the union of all for a common object . He , the advocate of Chartism , stood forward to advocate the political rights of the ditcher , the ploughman , the sower , and the reaper , as well as the spinner , the weaver , the shoemaker , and the tailor . If class legislation has divided us into all these conflicting interests , and tho various monopolies have led us to believe we have all separate intoruBts—it is the sublime mission of Chartism to erect a common vantage ground , upon which the oppressed of all these various interests
can atand , and to perceive that a Parliament irresponsible to the people is the source from whence all our national evils have sprung . The Corn Law repealers are one of those classes struggling to be freed from that very monopoly of power they are so anxious to protect . sSo l"ng as we occupy this fortress , all tiie oppressed will flow iuto-it aa into a citadel , where justice and equity is the watchword . Ono false step on the part of the Chartiota at the present time , would siok the hopes of those who are rushisg to our standard , and the very strength which this party are so very envious of at present to secure to their aid , would be loss to Chartism , and despised by them—neglected and trampled upon ; when we would perform our task , we would be thrown aside oa so much lumber . His advice to them , then , would be , to stand fast amidst all temptations . By this course they would command the respect of those who are opposed to them , aud soon they would gain their reward .
Mr . Morrison would at once franklyadmit Mr . Duncii \ was no way bound by the proposition under discussion , to answer his question ; but he had been asked what would become of all those labourers who live at present by cultivating the soil , and who would be thrown out of employment by the repeal of the Corn Bill ? They would fiud abundant labour iu our factories , from the increase of our export trade . He avowed himself an out-and-out Malthusian . It had been cailed a theory ; but in fact it was a principle . Give us free trade , and although the population was doubled we would all be comfortable and huppy . He had no fear of an excess of population with free trade , until the whole world was densely populated . — But what was the fact at tbe present time ?—capital was invested in sixth rate land . They were
now cultivating the moors , when it may be more profitably invested in manufactories . This was his political economy . Invest capital where it will procure tho hightst return of profit ; and by this means we will raiao our couutry in prosperity , and confer happiness upon the people . These were great and important truths of political economy : he took great pleasure ia uufolding them . before thu people of Tillicoultry ; and he thought it would not be the last time he would have the pleasure of addressing them upon such subjects . if they were not prepared to adopt them , and act upon them now , he felt confident the time would soon arrive wheu they would , and be sorry at their past ignorance ; and they would make up , by tbeir future activity in their active co-operation with the middle class , for their past neglect of these truths .
Mr . Duncan said they had heard a lecture upon pelitical economy ; but it might be characterised as a heartless exhibition of unprincipled Belfishness . His opponent belonged to that school of political economy whose leading idea vm , make the rich more rich ; crib , cabiu , aud confine the mass of society in dungeon mines aud over-heated factories . This school ridicules tbe idea of cultivating laud that will not pay , or , in other words , if ye can draw a per cent more from the cultivating of cotton than from waste lands , neglect the latter and attend to the former . Tho comfort of the people ia nothing ; the per centage is everything . Had his opponent been compelled to breathe the pestilential air of the factory , he would have spared his small wit in attempting to ridicule the cultivation of the moors ,
and his fulsome praise upon heated atmospheres and greasy wool . He would ask , were not those brancht' 8 of trade that dealt largest in exportation the poorest paid ; and as that exportation had increased remuneration bad decreased ? 800 , 000 hand-loom weavers gave tbe lie to the prophecy of the Corn Law repealer . Would 2 d . oft' tbe stone of meal make his board groan with all tho other articles that are required for the comfort and happiness of man—with the same sum off the stone of flour make the artizaus of cutlery in Birmingham feel as if they had passed into a land of milk and honey ; yet this is the full extent of comfort that Corn Law repeal promises . The whole is a selfish scheme to increase their own profits , and the hypocrisy is to talk of the poor man's loaf . The middle doss have given no proof
that they are capable to lead or guide the people in national politics—they cannot take care even ot * their own peliticalrights . Need he tell them when a real £ 10 suffrage was mooted in the House of Commons for the counties which would have been an increase of Parliamentary power to tbe manufacturers , they paid no attention to the subject—a penny off a shuwl or a farthing off a yard of cotton cloth is their morning dream aud mid-day vision . Where are the Chartists , then , who would abandon their present leaders to follow men whose political philosophy is comprehended in the drivelling ravings which have been addressed to them this evening . The electoral body of this country number about a million ; would any one pretend to say that a fifth , part of these have signed for Corn Law
repeal ? Tbe Chartists then have substantially tbe whole power of public opinion ; the factions are in a State of maddening desperation ; who shall enjoy the plunder ? The recriminations in and out ot Parliament have laid bare the whole trick of an aristocratic and middle class system of bad government The factious are destroying each other . The Corn Law repealers stand up and say to each of the factions , you are destroying each other . The people are enjoying the spectacle , expecting when rogues fall-out they will come to their own ; give us a part of the plunder , and in return we will gull the Chartists ; split and divide them , and we may yet live many years upon the fruits of our fraud , until their returning sense again unites them .
Mr . Morrison—His opponent had charged the Corn Law party with gross inconsistency in that while they ascribed all our commercial depression to the monopoly in corn , and the restricti « n upon trade ; they had spent much money and great labour to destroy the Chartist party , who would have reformed the source from whence these minor evils spring . He had also been taunted with the low , mean , and contemptible tricks of the Anti- Corn Law party in thia district , in the way they bad got up their petitions , the unmanly means they had resorted to , to secure a few signatures . He was not here to defend such conduct His opponent had also taunted him that Glasgow , Edinburgh , and all the large towns In Scotland had resorted to the same low tricks . ' He regretted such conduct on their part , but he could speak distinctly for the town which he himself belonged to , ( Dunfermline , ) but still he thought
something might be said in defence of the manufacturing class in this re * pect . It was the Reform Bill that had done the evil ; it had protected the landed interest Wherever the manufactures had power they had returned Corn Law repealers , and the number would be increased at the next election . They bad been told that as exports had increased , wages had fallen ; he could not deny it , bnt was that any proof that their decrease would add to their comfort ? The handloom weavers aud tbe Birmingham artisans , that his opponents had alluded to so feelingly , had no other -relief but having their export trade increased , and he would ask how was that export trade to be increased but by the abolition of all monopolies ? They have excesses of the production of food in other lands ; we have the excess of the productions of manufactories in ours . Allow these to be freely exchanged , and it appeared clear to him that profit would increase , demand iucrea £ e ;
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• onsequentlj wagea would rise , and piovWon , ¦ »* He would ask , could the Joining bbA am « ^ retard the Ctaurter ? No ; be loved the oS ^ would be standing by it when some of it . i ! l' ! advocates would no where be found . He ^ ^ prudence , for eTery cautious and safe meestoJ ^ removing evils pressing heavy upon us at then ?' " * time ; a contrary conduct would lose as the resn « I * those , whose assistance could not be disDenMd 2 !?* securing the Charter . r ™ * * Kb i , Mr . Duncan said he also wu tor prodou * for every safe and cautions measure ; bat ha 7 \ ' ^ being the judge himself of these moral qualirW *' when and how they aught to be exercised . ^ 7 ^ rison , throughout tbe whole of this discussion y never attempted to pioTe any one of bis position ! , ^* to disprove any of those statements which h w * made illustrative of the fact—that were the Ch ^ J ^ oinw
jwm any Bgiwuun goi up oy me middle cbusi « . would damage their own position , and nlav i »* ^ hands of their bitterest foes . He would sal ah ^ tated , most for the abolition of the corn tarn ' * wTien its removal could have been effective fo ^' The manufacturing artisans did so for twenty ° Oll ? Where were , then , the middle class ? Why ocra ^ like mean spaniel alavea , to secure a smii 8 u ?^ landed aristocracy ; and , during the same Derin 7 ** laging the wages of the woiking men , that L . 'T ape the tinselled gewgaws of an effeminate srii i ireu wavic
uur yews ago , « uw uon arose in th » i of the millions tbat the manifold national «« were called upon to contend with sprung from tb ** of representation of the people , and they bm « a ' strationsin England and Scotland of-their ewi * *? - *" of this fact , such aa this or no other count ™ k recorded in their annals , how did the middle ck * in their factories ? . . They used all their amhomVf overawe and break down the lofty devotion of « T people to the principles of political justice and mn » eal liberty ; and when they failed to curb « ate ' their stern integrity to these principles , they oneZr
battery or abuse ana nnarepresentation from thcirW ling' journals upon the people , calculated to dri ™ more phlegmatic people into open rebellien . -wl * this artifice failed , they resorted to the spy systea i spared neither bribery nor gold to break nb ' « T people ' s organisation for the Charter ; and whea th hellish machinations partially succeeded ia k ^^ many of our zealous friends into the pit which th * had dug for them , they walked into the Jury . W and consigned them to the axe of toe-Moody en . cutioner , transportation to the penal e 4 > nW to the tread-mills and loathsome dungeons rf free , happy , and merry England , and for what ? p ! , demanding what everyone of God ' s creatures ia « £ titled to eujoy—freedom and protection to tug frafo 0 #
their lawful industry . These cool , cold-hearted and bloodthirsty men , who sp _ oke the sentiments of the middle class from the jury-boxes of the English inqaj . sitions , now say to their immolated viciims come forth , and fight tbe aristocracy for our txcludre advantage . Those that can forgive these great MtionJ Wrongs without repentance , have no conceptions of moral duty . It would only be encouraging them h their past criminal course . We cannot recognise them as being actuated by the- spirit of humanity , until ve hear the wail of the orphan whose father they fein sent to Port Arthur
, and until they hear the moan ol the widow whom their bloody decision Las made so by consigning her natural protector to the prisons aid madhouses of England . Manufacturers have nootha course left them for national safety but to join the Charter Associations , act along with the people , am ] then the national will will be embodied in the national law ; class interest will be extinguished ; then freedom and happiness will spring forth like the rooming , and become matured in their strength . He now left the cause of Chartism with perfect confidence that they would do it justice in the vote of this evening .
Mr . Morrison said , according to the rules of the t . 1 abate , it belonged to him to close thi . i discussion His opponent had charged him -with having failed to prove any one of his positions ; he would leave that to the judgment of those he was now addressing . Beiad also been charged as having failed to disprove any q ( those statements which Mr . Duncan had brought forward against those who had opposed the Charter . Be admitted them all to be too true , and was sorry for what had taken place in England . But he did not
confine himself to Charter agitation . He was a republican ; he was for the repeal of the Corn Laws , because it would do good to our trade—ho was for the separation of Church and State , because it would introduce the principle of free trade into religion—he also was . f « tbe Charter , and thought tbe people had sufficient intelligence to exercise the franchise—he was for a Republic , because hereditary monarchy was , in his estimation quite irrational . He had no more to add than to leave the decision with themselves .
The sight at this time was one truly grand . Tiflicoultry is situated at the foot of the Ocbill hills , at the mouth of one of those glens whose waters drive the machinery of its woollen factories . The morn was shining over the romantic scene , in all her splendourupwards of 3 , 000 people , consisting of men and women , had stood in the opeu air for five hours , closely compacted together . Among these , we observed the leading manufacturers of all tbe surrounding towns , the most of them remaining to tbe last Both of the disputants agreed that there should be no expression of feeling during the discussion , as they were afraid their voica might fail them , addressing so large a meeting till midnight in the open air . It was evident from tht
glistening eyes , and their suppressed feelings , tbat thu was do easy task for them to accomplish . But ti « Chartists of this district have too much respect fa their principles and themselves to give any violation to the most rigid decorum ; and , although they had to listen for two hours to what they themselves charasterise as thu most wretched twaddle—yet the motive assigned enabled them to exercise patience under it When the vote was taken , a forest of hand ) was upheld f&r Mr . Duncan ' s side—for Mr . Mor-¦ rison ' s side not m » re thau thirty hands were held up . The cheers and shouts of triumph which fallowed made the glens of the Ochil ' .-hills re-echo with tbe glad ahout of Chartism , over all the wiU-o ' -ths-wisp and the fala
lights that the middle class ara raising to deceive and mislead the Chartists . Every town in the country is in a commotion , previous to and since this discussion cook place . Waverers are confirnitd , and the enemies aw cbopfallen and dispirited . The cheers that'followed for ' Feargus O'Connor , the Charter , and all imprisoned victims , made the enemies pTesent both blue and black in the face . They now find tbat the Charter and tie people ' s leaders are engraven upen the heart of besris of the people . Whigs and Tories are threatening nttef extermination to Mr . Duncan , and declare there will b « no peace in the district until he also forms one of tha already numerous list of victims to satiate tha revenge of Whigs and Tories .
We have extended thia report farther than perhapJ you will be inclined to give insertion to ; but tbiau ou condition ; the Whigs bad reporters provided w > were upon the hustings . Past experiences convinces u that tbeir power of misrepresentation and abuse will be brought into full play upon this occasion . To whom can we look for protection but to the Northern Slar , and other Chartist papers ? If it is possible to insert n » the Chartists here will feel it as an act of justice , w the enemies will find the state of public opinion mW place will be circulated through England , Scotland , and Wales . They have long tried to suppress tnat public opinion .
The business was closed by Mr . Duncan mortofc and Mr . Morrison seconding , a vote of thsnks to me respective chairmen . — From our own Correspondent
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HOUSE OF LORDS . —Frida ? , Ma ? 28 . A large number of petitions were presente d on the subject of the Corn Laws . - , Lord Denman presented petitions from ** P ™ JJo j other dissenting congregations , against tbe practice administering oaths , and praying the sntoWnpM » » affirmations . He had no idea of introdoein ? w measure on the subject at present , but if b f ! f * * any encouragement from the House he should M « objection to do so . ii , Lord ASHBURTON , in presenting a petition Bom _ shipowners of Whitehavtn against the timber am , wished to relieve the minds of the public of » aeI ^ under which they laboured ; namely , that the P"P ^ measure with regard to timber was a reduction « ^ tu-n . On the Contrary , the people would ^ V " ^ was to all intents and purposes a measure ° ' r ^ -j Mect After a conference with the Commons on toe "J ^ of the Arms ( Ireland ) Bill , their Lordships adjouiw Thursday next
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HOUSE OF COMMONS , Fbidat , Ma ? *>• Mr . Scholfield gave notice that on the ^ . ^ J ^ he should move thttt the extreme suffering "" { L j ^ jt trious classes from low wages and want of e » P 3 ^ renders it the imperative duty of Parliam ^" ^ separate till it has devised some m eans "'• " ^ e the great misery that now prevails in all . t&e w turing districts of the country . ( Hear , heatj ^ On the motion of the A ttobxey-GW *'"* , Stamp Duties Bill was read a third time and P **^ Lord J . Russell moved the adjournment . « House at its rising till Wednesday next , _ . sei Sir B Peel said it had been generalVJWirjj that the object of his resolution was to ta ** * ^ the discussion of the Corn Laws ; but so *^ Ttft »« bii » fti » Mu . it the Noble Lord had prop ° *** ..
the Hou 3 e should sit on Monday next , he w ^ , offered no opposition to the motion . "" Xjifljj , Lord having proposed an adjournment till ""V ^ he should not object to it , With the un * however , that the debate should have preceuethat day . ^ n , « t a rrWl 6 ' Lord J . Russell had no objection to that arn- *
ment . . reaom *'' The " Want of Confidence" debate ^ J ^ jfc and the House was addressed by .. Mr . „ « ^ jir Sandford , Mr . Darby , Mr . Button , Lord Norrej * H . Grattan , Lord Teignmouth , ^ -J . ^^ q ^ Lord Sandon , Lord Morpetb , and SurJ « nesv q BJf On the motion of Mr . Serjeant Talfoura . a ^ ter before ene , the Housa adjourned till «*«""• next .
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fi / THE NORTHERN STAR .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 5, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct709/page/6/
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